Praying mantises are insects that are known for their distinctive appearance and predatory behavior. These insects are found throughout the world and are famous for their unique ability to turn their heads almost 180 degrees to look around.
Praying mantises are carnivorous insects that prey on a wide range of other insects and small animals. Their diet can include flies, crickets, moths, and even small vertebrates such as lizards and birds. Praying mantises are known for their hunting abilities, using their powerful front legs to grab and hold their prey. Once they have caught their prey, they will consume it alive, often starting with the head.
While it may seem unlikely for an insect, some species of praying mantises are known to take out snakes.
A snake is seen slithering along a log as it comes across a praying mantis. The mantis squares up and is ready to take on the snake, that although is small, it is much longer. The snake recognizes the danger and decides to proceed with caution. It tries to get around the insect, but is unable to evade it. In one final attempt, the snake tries to get by but gets latched onto by the praying mantis.
The mantis begins to eat the snake as it is still fighting to get out of the tight grip. Eventually, the snake can’t fight and completely gives in as the mantis happily feeds away.
That is wild.
Praying Mantis Grabs A Flying Humming Bird
Holy sh…
I never would have thought a bug would be picking hummingbirds out of mid air, right off the feeder. But here I stand corrected…
Praying mantises might just be the craziest bugs on planet Earth, known for their distinctive, rotating triangular heads, their long, spindly legs, and them big ol’ claw-like front legs. These insects are known for their amazing hunting abilities, with a diet that consists mainly of other insects, but they are also known to take out much larger prey.
Mantises will eat spiders, frogs, lizards and even small birds. Like hummingbirds…
Skilled hunters that use their camouflage and lightning-fast reflexes to ambush their prey, they use their long, serrated front legs to grasp their prey and hold it in place while they feed. They are also capable of turning their heads completely around to keep a close eye on their prey, which makes them incredibly effective hunters.
Praying mantises are highly adaptable insects that are able to thrive in a variety of habitats, from forests and meadows to gardens and urban areas. They are also able to adapt their hunting strategies to suit their environment, switching from ambush hunting to stalking or pursuit when necessary.
These are some killer bugs.
Exhibit A:
This praying mantis is seen hanging out on the hummingbird feeder as a hummingbird comes in for a feed. The unsuspecting bird hovers and drinks in the sweet water, and boom… the praying mantis strikes. It nails the bird, and clamps down as the bird tries to fly away. But, the mantis uses every bit of grip and holds on to both the bird and the feeder.
It gains control and quickly has itself a meal in one of the most impressive hunts I have ever seen take place in the wild. You don’t need to go to Africa to see some wild, National Geographic kind of animal encounters…. just look in your own backyard.
